Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not expected to participate in the upcoming G7 summit to be hosted by Canada from June 15-17 in Alberta, marking his first absence from the gathering in six years. India has not received an official invitation to the summit, and officials have indicated that Modi is unlikely to make the trip regardless, citing logistical challenges, security risks, and continuing diplomatic friction between New Delhi and Ottawa.
A spokesperson for the Canadian G7 team declined to confirm to a national daily on Sunday whether an invitation would be extended to PM Modi. Indian government sources said any last-minute invitation would probably be declined due to both practical constraints and the potential for disruptive actions by separatist groups, as well as the broader strain in bilateral relations.
The G7 is an informal coalition of leading industrialised nations, including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union also participates, alongside institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the United Nations.&nbsp;
Canadian media reports indicate that invitations have been sent to the leaders of Australia, Ukraine, South Africa, and Brazil. However, the list of guest leaders has not been formally released by the Canadian government.
Since 2019, when France invited Modi to attend the summit, India&rsquo;s consistent presence at these meetings has been interpreted as a signal of its growing influence in global affairs and its engagement with like-minded democratic nations on key transnational issues.
The likelihood of Modi&rsquo;s attendance this year has been further diminished by concerns surrounding the safety of Indian diplomats in Canada and the risk of protests by Sikh separatist factions. These groups have urged Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney&rsquo;s administration not to extend an invitation to Modi, citing what they claim is India&rsquo;s unwillingness to support investigations into the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
The case initiated an international diplomatic row last year when former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly alleged Indian government involvement in Nijjar&rsquo;s death.&nbsp;
India categorically rejected the accusations, calling them &ldquo;baseless&rdquo; and criticised Canada for failing to provide supporting evidence. The incident led to reciprocal expulsions of diplomats from both countries, with each side accusing the other of engaging in activities hostile to their respective interests.
Although Prime Minister Carney has yet to comment directly on the Nijjar matter, he has expressed his intention to use trade as a platform to reset the relationship with India. Speaking about the broader diplomatic climate, Carney stated that Canada was not responsible for the current strain in relations.&nbsp;
India, for its part, has expressed hope that Carney will adopt a more constructive approach than his predecessor and has reiterated its willingness to engage with Ottawa on the basis of mutual respect and sensitivity.
India has also called on Canada to implement effective security measures for Indian diplomatic personnel and take firm action against extremist and secessionist elements operating from Canadian soil.
Canadian Foreign Minister Ankita Anand acknowledged that the Nijjar case had contributed to the deterioration in bilateral ties. She noted the Carney government&rsquo;s interest in developing a stronger partnership with India despite recent tensions.
Over the past month, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has twice stated publicly that there is &ldquo;no information&rdquo; regarding a possible visit by Prime Minister Modi to Canada for the summit. With no invitation issued and little sign of a breakthrough in diplomatic relations, Indian officials say Modi&rsquo;s participation remains highly unlikely.
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(Left) PM Narendra Modi and PM Mark Carney (Right)

PM Modi unlikely to attend G7 in Alberta amid no invite, strained ties, and Sikh separatist concerns.

Modi Unlikely to Attend G7 in Canada Amid Tensions

PM Modi unlikely to attend G7 in Alberta amid no invite, strained ties, and Sikh separatist concerns.

June 2, 2025 | 20:17 IST

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